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Nine (9) members of the Sussex County Cricket Club Academy Squad aged between 16 – 19 years of age, accompanied by three (3) members of coaching staff are now back in England having completed a successful 4-day training camp between Wednesday 1st – Sunday 5th November at Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course with its very own dedicated Cricket Ground & Academy, in the Almanzora region of Almeria, Andalucía in south-east Spain.

“An excellent facility which really enabled us to improve and develop our young players. The nets were of a high quality and lasted well throughout our visit.

The staff at the resort are all so friendly and couldn’t do enough to make our camp a success.

Having been away with international teams, the service we received was on par with those experiences!”

The focus of the training camp was to provide an opportunity for the players to work seriously on their batting, bowling and fielding skills as well as their fitness levels, through a specific and concentrated programme, to ensure that the players are in the best possible shape, and understand and appreciate what it means to become a Sussex CCC player.

Team meetings, strength and conditioning training at the gym and catering provided at the award-winning ‘El Torrente’ restaurant was all part of the squads’ itinerary.

James Kirtley, Bowling Coach remarked of his experience;

“A proactive service, centred around high quality surfaces with a flexible approach that still has the ability to keep the attention to detail.”

Michael Yardy, Batting coach commented of the training camp;

“Great facilities, organisation and care from the staff. This ensured that the boys had both a very enjoyable and worthwhile experience.”

The views of some of the players of their experience of the training camp were;

“Thank you for looking after us so well, the facilities are amazing!” Harrison Tegg. “Its’s so cool to be able to train and practice where the England Team do!” Scott Lenham. “Perfect sunny weather in November, thank you for a great week!” Henry Crocombe. “Great facilities, great food, great weather, really friendly staff, what more could you ask for!” Jamie Atkins. “Awesome resort for a cricket camp, can’t wait to come back and see the Oval being used.” Thomas Gordon. “Great food, great facilities.” Oliver Carter, William Sheffield & William Collard.

The players and coaches were accommodated in some of the privately-owned apartments normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs Resort and the resort’s executive chef was on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players at the award-winning ‘El Torrente’ Restaurant.

For further information contact:

Kirl Lovell
+34 647 414 899
kl@almanzora.com

Sussex County Cricket Club Academy Squad and Staff at Desert Springs Resort

‘Sussex County Cricket Club Academy Training Session’ at the Desert Springs Cricket Academy

Lancashire and England fast bowler James Anderson and Sussex and England wicket-keeper Matthew Prior have followed in the footsteps of some of the leading names in sport by becoming ambassadors of the prestigious Desert Springs Resort in Almeria, Andalucía, south east Spain.

Anderson and Prior have followed the likes of Sir Ian Botham, OBE, generally regarded as being England crickets greatest ever all-rounder, and double Olympic Gold medalist Daley Thompson CBE, one of the greatest all-round athletes the world has ever seen in giving their backing to the five-star Spanish resort.

James Anderson is the fifth-highest England wicket taker of all time in Test cricket with 288 wickets in 77 appearances and is currently ranked sixth in the world Test bowler standings.

James remarked:

“Desert Springs has developed a fantastic reputation not only for golf and its additional sporting facilities, but also for providing a quality of lifestyle that all of the family can enjoy. That in particular is something our family is looking forward to during our visits to the resort throughout the year. It is a privilege to be an ambassador for them.”

Matthew Prior, the fourth-highest England wicket taker of all time has amassed 186 dismissals from 113 innings. He was the first England wicket keeper to score a Test hundred on debut, taking just 105 deliveries and hitting 16 boundaries after coming in at number 7, and finishing on 126 not out, becoming one of only 17 English batsman to record the feat overall.

Matthew commented:

“Desert Springs is an outstanding venue which provides some excellent new cricket practice facilities for warm weather pre-season team building and training as well as players rehabilitation, and both James and I look forward to being part of its expanding plans for the future.”

Desert Springs, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course, already well known as a resort specialising in family holidays is proving to be one of the most popular destinations for warm weather winter training camps for Golf, Football and Cricket among the growing number of schools with their own academies and teams in the UK.

The resort will be host this winter season to the Cheltenham College Cricket Junior School, Darren Clarke Golf School, Lee Westwood Golf School and the Hartpury College Football Academy to name but a few, where budding sports stars of the future can improve their skills.

All Sports Training Camps to Desert Springs are bespoke. If desired, the programme can include time away from the resort for some local sightseeing in what many regard as ‘the real Spain.’

During their stay attendees have opportunities to swim, play tennis and use the gymnasium, trim trail, jogging tracks, paddle tennis and beach volleyball courts at the Sierras Sports and Fitness Club.

Desert Springs is easy to reach from the UK, thanks to three international airports. They are: Almeria Airport, around 40 minutes away by road; Murcia Airport, 80 minutes by car, and Alicante Airport which is a drive of less than two hours. Airlines currently flying to the region from the UK include easyJet, Monarch, Ryanair, Jet2, Jetair Fly and Thomas Cook.

Accommodation is provided in the luxury apartments and villas available for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs. Meals are served in the resort’s Croc Restaurant, part of the family-friendly Crocodile Club that is geared up for a wide variety of leisure activities and the award winning El Torrente Restaurant at the Club House.

A spokesman for Desert Springs said that, depending on the size of the group and its requirements, the total cost of a four-day trip for warm weather training, including flights, would work out at between £350 and £400 per person.

The Desert Springs Resort & Golf Club

Facilities at Desert Springs include:

The Par 72, 18-hole USGA Indiana golf course designed by former Great Britain and Ireland Golf Team Captain Peter McEvoy who was inspired by the desert courses of Arizona and California;

A golf academy whose PGA qualified teaching professionals cater for several international teams, for the women’s elite squads of the Golf Union of Wales and for many of the English County Union’s elite squads; PGA European Tour and LET players.

Two hard tennis courts, two paddle courts, beach volleyball and two football pitches - one is a full-size grass pitch; the other is designed for five-a-side games;

Two cricket mobile cage nets with artificial wickets and a Professional Bola Bowling Machine with 28-ball feeder. A slip catch cradle and both full length artificial and grass wickets.

A Spanish colonial style Golf Club House with a lounge, bar, restaurant, locker rooms, TV and reading rooms, and a Ralph Lauren Golf Boutique;

The Crocodile Club which provides family fun at the heart of the resort with pools, equipped sand play areas, a kid’s battery powered John Deere Gator circuit and a games room as well as a Jacuzzi, sun lawns and a pool bar;

A health and fitness club and spa.

Awards

In 2005 Desert Springs won the Daily Mail Best Almeria Award and the Bentley International Property Awards for the Best Spain Development and Best Architecture. In 2006, it was awarded the Spanish National Madera Verde Prize for Environmentally Sensitive Development. In 2007, the El Torrente Restaurant received the New Millennium International Gastronomy Award for the Tourist, Hotel and Catering Industry. This award was created by the Trade Leaders Club with the aim of distinguishing companies from all countries, for the outstanding quality of their products or services.

The climate of the Almanzora coastal region

Desert Springs takes it name from the region’s desert microclimate, which is unique in Europe. It has the warmest winter weather on the continent with an annual average of more than nine hours of daily sunshine and maximum daily temperatures of between 16°C (60°F) and 30°C (86°F) throughout the year. Annual rainfall is less than 200 mm. The Almanzora coastal waters are among the cleanest and warmest in Europe, attracting both fish and diving enthusiasts.

Sussex County Cricket Club completes 3-Day Pre-Season Strategy and Planning Camp at the Desert Springs Resort

Having already completed their ten (10) Pre-Season training camp at the Desert Springs Cricket Academy between 22nd February – 3rd March, and with the domestic cricket season drawing ever closer, Sussex County Cricket Club stepped up their preparations for their 2016 campaign by completing a three (3) day pre-season ‘Strategy and Planning’ Camp between Sunday 20th and Wednesday 23rd March at Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course, in the Almanzora region of Almeria, Andalucía in south-east Spain.

Whilst during the pre-season training camp the squad spent their time completing numerous training sessions each day, which included net practice, both bowling and batting, strength work, running, speed and agility work and fielding and throwing practice, the purpose of the return visit was for the players and staff to enjoy some downtime, relax and enjoy themselves and to strategize prior to the season ahead.

Mark Davies, Sussex CCC Head Coach and his team of nine (9) staff accompanied nineteen (19) players whose schedule included; light fielding sessions at the Desert Springs Cricket Academy, a football match, strength and conditioning sessions at the gym, a ‘Quiz-Night’ at the Private Reserve and class room sessions at the resorts Crocodile Club, specifically working on strategy and planning for the forthcoming cricket season.

The players and staff also experienced a round of golf on the Championship Indiana course and rounded off their stay with a BBQ at the Crocodile Club restaurant.

Mark Davis who made his Sussex debut in 2001 and took 188 wickets with his off-spin and made over 2000 runs across all three formats, commented:

“This was our second visit to Desert Springs for 2016.

Whilst our first visit was very much purely focused on al things cricket, this visit was more of a strategy and planning long weekend to fully prepare for the season ahead, alongside some downtime for the players and staff to relax and enjoy themselves.

The crocodile Club was absolutely perfect for us to be able to lock ourselves as a team and spend some quality time together.

The golf day was enjoyed by everyone and the BBQ again held at the Crocodile Club was a great way to end the trip.

Thank you to all of the staff and we look forward to seeing you next year.”

The players and coaches were accommodated in some of the privately owned Apartments and Townhouses normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef was on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in El Torrente Restaurant.

Sussex County Cricket Club Staff and Players Pre-Season ‘Strategy and Planning’ Camp at Desert Springs Resort

Dateline:

5th March 2016

Source:

The Almanzora Group Ltd

Subject:

Cricket at desert Springs

Title:

Sussex County Cricket Club completes a successful ten days of warm weather pre-season cricket and fitness training at the Desert Springs Resort

Sussex County Cricket Club players are now back in England having completed a successful ten (10) days of warm weather pre-season cricket and fitness training between Monday 22nd February and Thursday 3rd March at Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course with its very own dedicated Cricket Academy, in the Almanzora region of Almeria, Andalucía in south-east Spain.

Mark Davies, Sussex CCC Head Coach and his team of three staff accompanied eight (8) players who completed bowling, batting and fielding practice as well as strength and conditioning training sessions as they stepped up their physical preparations for the upcoming 2016 season.

Mark Davis who made his Sussex debut in 2001 and took 188 wickets with his off-spin and made over 2000 runs across all three formats, commented:

“Desert Springs has ‘immense potential’ and could become a very popular destination for elite cricket teams.”

The training camp worked on a specific and carefully planned programme covering technical skills, strength and conditioning and both individual and group activity.

Sussex CCC players said of their pre-season training experience at Desert Springs Resort:

“Another great 10-day camp at Desert Springs and the perfect preparation for the season ahead. Great facilities and weather and very well looked after by all of the staff at the resort, and I look forward to returning in the future!”Steve Magoffin

“This is my second time at Desert Springs Resort and its just gets better and better! This is great preparation for the season ahead and hopefully I will be back next year!”Ajmal Shahzad

“Great food and the practice facility is getting better each year. The staff are very friendly and very accommodating, Desert Springs has everything you want for a Pre-Season facility!”Lewis Hatchett

The players and coaches were accommodated in some of the privately owned Villas and Townhouses normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef was on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in El Torrente Restaurant.

Sussex County Cricket Club set to return to Desert Springs for Pre-Season Warm Weather Cricket Training Camp

With the domestic cricket season drawing ever closer, Sussex County Cricket Club will be stepping up their preparations for the 2016 campaign by completing their 10-day warm weather training camp at the Desert Springs Cricket Academy between 22nd February – 3rd March.

The Sussex CCC training camp will comprise eight (8) players and four (4) coaches, all of whom will be spending their time completing numerous training sessions each day, which will include net practice, both bowling and batting, strength work, running, speed and agility work. As they will be outside and on grass, the squad will also be able to do more fielding and throwing practice in realistic conditions, something not possible indoors back in the UK.

Between 20th – 23rd March the whole squad, comprising Twenty Three (23) players and Five (5) coaches will then return to Desert Springs for a specific 3-day team bonding break in the run up to the start of the season.

Almanzora Group Sales & Marketing Manager, Simon Coaker remarked:

"We are delighted to welcome the return of Sussex CCC for what is now to be their third consecutive year of winter training at the Desert Springs Cricket Academy.

Since the addition to the existing cricket facilities in 2013 of six top quality grass wickets at the Cricket Academy we have hosted numerous cricket teams, both professional and amateur, as well as university and school groups, which has now led to the introduction of a further 13 grass wickets to cater for the growing demand of those wishing to visit.

The feedback received from those visiting groups that can be viewed here has further confirmed the quality of the training facilities and service we provide.

Combined with the Resort accommodation used to house the players and officials with meals provided at El Torrente restaurant and our unique winter climate, it is clear to see why Desert Springs is fast becoming renowned as the perfect one-stop-shop for Cricket teams to come and train."

Sussex County Cricket Club completes a successful ten days of warm weather pre-season cricket & fitness training at the Desert Springs Resort

Sussex County Cricket Club players are now back in England having completed a successful ten (10) days of warm weather pre-season cricket and fitness training between Monday 23rd February & 4th March at Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course with its very own dedicated Cricket Academy, in the Almanzora region of Almeria, Andalucía in south-east Spain.

Jon Lewis, Sussex CCC Bowling Coach and his team of two staff accompanied nine (9) players who completed bowling, batting and fielding practice as well as strength and conditioning training sessions as they stepped up their physical preparations for the upcoming 2015 season.

Jon Lewis, Sussex CCC Bowling Coach, who represented England across all three formats of the game, amassing 849 first-class wickets during his first-class career, commented:

“Our second training camp at Desert Springs has been a resounding success, the staff were welcoming, helpful and efficient throughout our stay. There seems a real hunger for improvement and the openness of the resort to our feedback I am sure bodes well for the development of an outstanding cricket facility for years to come.”

The training camp worked on a specific and carefully planned programme covering technical skills, strength and conditioning and both individual and group activity.

Sussex CCC players said of their pre – season training experience at Desert Springs Resort:

“Great service & people! Awesome preparation for the season!”Craig Cachopa

“Another great trip to Desert Springs. A perfect preparation for the season ahead, well looked after and great facilities!”Steven Magoffin

“A great 10 days with fantastic facilities, nice weather and lovely staff.”Timothy Moses

“My first time here. Great preparation for the season ahead with everything we needed on site and easily accessible, thank you.” Tymall Mills

The players and coaches were accommodated in some of the privately owned Villas & Townhouses normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef was on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in El Torrente Restaurant.

Sussex and Somerset County Cricket Club Set To Visit Desert Springs For Pre Season Warm Weather Cricket Training Camp

With the domestic cricket season drawing ever closer, both Sussex and Somerset County Cricket Club playing squads will be stepping up their preparations for the 2015 campaign by completing their warm weather training at the Desert Springs Cricket Academy from between 23rd February – 4th March and 4th – 12th March respectively.

Sussex CCC will comprise eight players and four coaches and Somerset CCC twenty-one players and five coaches, all of whom will be spending their time completing numerous training sessions each day, which will include net practice, both bowling and batting, strength work, running, speed and agility work. As they will be outside and on grass, the squad will also be able to do more fielding and throwing practice in realistic conditions, something not possible indoors back in the UK.

A spokesman for Desert Springs said:

"We've been supporters of English cricket for a long time, and since the addition to the existing cricket facilities in 2013 of six top quality grass wickets at the Cricket Academy we have hosted numerous cricket teams, both professional and amateur, as well as university and school groups.

Combined with the Resort accommodation used to house the players and officials with the food provided at El Torrente restaurant and our unique winter climate, it is clear to see why Desert Springs is fast becoming renowned as the perfect one-stop-shop for Cricket teams to come and train."

Sussex County Cricket Club completes a successful twelve days of warm weather fitness and pre-season cricket training at the Desert Springs Resort

Sussex County Cricket Club players are now back in England having completed a successful 12 days of warm weather fitness and cricket training between 26th February and 10th March at Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course with its very own dedicated Cricket Academy, in the Almanzora region of Almeria, Andalucía in south-east Spain.

Mark Davies, Sussex CCC Coach and his team of two staff accompanied eight players who completed bowling, batting and fielding practice as well as strength and conditioning training sessions as they stepped up their physical preparations for the upcoming 2014 season.

Mark Davies, Sussex CCC Club Coach said:

“We have experienced and benefitted from great hospitality, top quality food and excellent cricket practice facilities here at Desert Springs Resort. In my opinion the Desert Springs Cricket Academy has the potential to become an extremely sought after location for elite cricket training camps.”

Sussex CCC player Matthew Hobden remarked of the Cricket Academy:

“Desert Springs Resort is excellent for a pre-season training camp. The food was excellent and the Gym had everything we needed for working out; the wickets played very well and most importantly gave us a chance to get used to bowling on grass in advance of the start of the season!”

Sussex CCC player James Anyon remarked of his experience:

"Desert Springs is both a great location and facility for a pre-season winter training camp.

The food and hospitality provided to us all was fantastic and I look forward to returning in the future!”